Fratry Project wins best new building award

The award that recognises the best in architecture comes on the back of The Fratry Project receiving both RIBA Northwest Award 2022 and RIBA Northwest Special Award for Sustainability.

Carlisle Cathedral’s new Fratry project has been recognised as one of the best new buildings in the UK by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The Dean of Carlisle, the Very Revd Mark Boyling, said,

“We are delighted to hear the news of this award. From the many comments we receive, we know how much people appreciate what has been achieved.”

Over 10 years since its conception, work on the Grade I listed Fratry area of the Cathedral was completed in June 2020. The £3.4m project saw the building restored and repurposed to create a cultural hub in the providing education, exhibition and event spaces in the Fratry and Undercroft with the addition of a Cathedral café.

A spokesperson from RIBA said:

“The Fratry project articulates a journey from concept to occupation; creating an engaging piece of placemaking where community input has enabled the delivery of social value. 

“The architects have undertaken an award-winning piece of discerning conservation, creating a new build café facility whilst restoring and re-purposing the existing fratry with community space.”

The £3.4m project was made up by a £1.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the rest raised through the fundraising by the Friends of Carlisle Cathedral, grant-making trusts, donations by members of the public and events at the cathedral.

The Cathedral Café is open 7 days per week, The Fratry is hosting the Carlisle and Cumbria Artists Exhibition throughout August and there are several dates over the summer holiday period to experience family summer holiday activities in the Undercroft.

For further information please see the Cathedral website.

Photos – Peter Cook and David Grandorge